Out & About in New York City

The Plaza’s 282 guestrooms—including 102 suites—feature Louis XV-style decor and have extra touches such as 24-carat gold-plated Sherle Wagner-designed sinks and fixtures, and iPads in every room. Legendary traditions remain at the hotel, such as the opulent Beaux Arts decor, the cool ambiance of the Oak Room and Oak Bar, and the thrill of afternoon tea at The Palm Court. Now there are also modern thrills, such as The Food Hall by Todd English and 160,000 sq. ft. of retail shopping including a spa and salon. The Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, meanwhile, uses ingredients like grape and grapevine for fun that can include the Vinotherapie Spa signature barrel bath and a wide choice of skin treatments. Nightly guestroom rates start at $695.

residential: gansevoort park avenue Visitors to New York who are looking for a stay in a more residential neighborhood, should overnight at the Gansevoort Park Avenue on 29th Street, which opened officially in February 2011. Like the city itself, this urban resort is designed to provide a choice of relaxation and entertainment.

The Gansevoort’s stand-out feature is its 3-level rooftop outdoor spaces, starting with its incredibly relaxing heated indoor/outdoor pool area. Imagine swimming with a view of the Empire State Building, while waiter service caters to you as you lie on comfortable double or single lounge chairs. The rooftop’s three levels also include various bars, outdoor terraces, event spaces and a skydeck with more lounge chairs and an outdoor bar.

The design here is stylish and chic, with bold colors and photographs of Central Park throughout the public areas and guestrooms. Within the 249 guestrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the city and some suites feature terraces. Guestrooms come with complimentary Internet, iPod docking stations and bathrooms with deep-soaking tubs.

The onsite Exhale spa offers relaxing treatments and signature “Core Fusion” and yoga classes. Asellina—an Italian trattoria with James Beard award-winning chef Marco Proceddu at the helm—is a trendy spot offering great dishes from Proceddu’s native country in a romantic and cool setting. Nightly rates start at $395.

downtown: trump soho Guests of the Trump SoHo on Spring Street—which opened in April 2010—are treated to one of New York’s most interesting neighborhoods within walking distance to tons of great restaurants, art galleries, shopping and a newly developed waterfront promenade. The 46-story hotel towers high above its surroundings, with 391 guestrooms and suites featuring a modern and sophisticated decor and offering floor-to-ceiling windows showing off great views of the city. Expansive bathrooms feature separate showers and tubs and TVs. Guests have the services of the Trump Attache, who is there to take care of all needs while at the hotel.

Such luxurious hotel features include the 11,000-sq.-ft. 2-floor Spa at Trump with its nine treatment rooms, two separate hammams and a spacious fitness center. Located on the spa level, the 6,000-sq.-ft. seasonal outdoor pool deck is the place to be for swimming in the day and cocktails at night. Identical twin brothers Chefs Fabrizio and Nicola Carro hale from the Piemonte region of Italy and produce authentic Northern Italian cuisine at the hotel’s Quattro Gastronomia Italiana restaurant. Nightly rates start at $479.

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